"I don't understand (it). It's either an oversight or they're taking me for granted. I'm not going to try to read people's minds, but it doesn't make me happy. It's definitely a slight. I feel slighted."

In a subsequent statement passed along by his business manager, Abdul-Jabbar said: "I am highly offended by the total lack of acknowledgement of my contribution to Laker success. I guess being the lynchpin for five world championships is not considered significant enough in terms of being part of Laker history."

The Lakers quickly rushed out a statement saying they can't just be putting up statues every week, otherwise they'd get to Luke Walton's before he even retires. But they promised that Abdul-Jabbar would be the next player so honored, whenever they got around to it.